FIRST-YEAR SUPPORT COUNSELLING
Being a first-year student often brings about many new opportunities and challenges. If you would like support with the transition to university life, connect with our first-year support counsellor for one-on-one help
Get help with
Academic challenges
- Navigating the university system or coping with the demands of university life.
- Developing strategies to combat chronic procrastination.
- Developing strategies to cope with overwhelming stress and lack of motivation.
Career direction
- Questioning the decision to attend university.
- Lack of educational and/or career direction.
- Dissatisfaction with academic program.
- Navigating feelings of self-doubt and discouragment.
Social connections
- Feelings of isolation and difficulty making friends or connecting with peers on campus.
- Culture shock and/or feelings of homesick.
- Juggling your family's academic expectations with your personal goals.
Please note that first-year support counselling does not offer psychotherapy services or academic advising. If you're a student struggling with significant anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns, consult our mental health resources list. If you need academic advising, please contact your faculty or department.
Who can access the service
All students in their first year of studies at Concordia are eligible for First-year support counselling. This includes:
- Undergraduate and graduate students
- Transfer students from other universities and exchange students
- Independent students (eligible during your time as an independent student, and for the first year once you're admitted into a program)
The eligibility begins when you confirm your offer of admission (and pay the $100 deposit) and continues until 12 months after you begin taking classes.
First-year students currently located outside Quebec
Under the Ordre des conseiller et conseillères du Québec (OCCOQ) guidelines, counselling appointments are only available to students located in Quebec.
Book an appointment
First-year support counselling appointments are offered via Zoom and in-person at both SGW and LOY campuses. Before booking an appointment, check if you're eligible.
Select your preferred location to start, and then select “First-Year Support Counselling.” If you are booking a follow-up appointment, we recommend you meet with the same counsellor you last met with.
Things to keep in mind
- You may cancel up to 24 hours before your appointment with the link in your confirmation email.
- If you expect to be late for your appointment, please respond directly to your confirmation email to let the counsellor know.
If you are more than 20 minutes late, we may give your appointment to another student.
Meet the team
Congratulations on starting your first year at Concordia!
Starting university can be both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. As you embark on this new journey, you may encounter challenges that can be more difficult to adapt to than you had hoped. We offer a safe and non-judgmental space for you to talk about your transition to university life and discuss strategies to help you make the most of your first year at Concordia.
We look forward to chatting with you and helping you connect with relevant university or community resources for specialized help with specific needs (e.g. academic support, accessibility advising, etc.).
Alternative support for students currently located outside of Quebec
Learning help
- One-on-one appointments and workshops with learning specialists for academic support are available through Learning Services.
Mental health (or personal counselling)
- Undergraduate students enrolled in the Concordia Student Union health plan: Connect by phone or online with counsellors and life-coaches, available 24/7 with EmpowerMe. Call 1-833-628-5589 in Canada and the U.S. or find international numbers.
- International students enrolled in the BlueCross health plan: Connect with 24/7 counselling and online wellbeing resources with inConfidence.
